Three men directed to circuit court trial over €2 million cannabis seizure on N3, Dublin
Three men were arrested and charged in February 2025 following a Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau operation after 100 kilos of cannabis worth €2 million were recovered from a van and a further €1 million in cannabis, MDMA, amphetamines and ketamine was found at an apartment in Blanchardstown. The vehicles were intercepted on the N3 northbound on 22 February 2025. Gary Hanley, a man, 35, Sean Mackey, a man from South Africa, 53, and Jie Liu, a man, 39, were charged with possession of controlled drugs for sale or supply. The DPP directed trial on indictment in the circuit court, and the cases were adjourned until 17 June 2025 for service of books of evidence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court4 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- 100 kilos of cannabis worth €2 million were recovered from a van, and a further €1 million in cannabis, MDMA, amphetamines and ketamine was found at an apartment in Blanchardstown.
- Where
- The vehicles were intercepted on the N3 northbound in Dublin, and the men drove to Athboy, Co Meath, where phones were exchanged.
- When
- The interception took place on 22 February 2025.
- Investigation
- The arrests followed a Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau operation.
- Charges
- Gary Hanley, a man, 35, Sean Mackey, a man from South Africa, 53, and Jie Liu, a man, 39, were charged with possession of controlled drugs for sale or supply.
- In court
- The DPP directed trial on indictment in the circuit court.
- The cases were adjourned until 17 June 2025 for service of books of evidence.
- Other details
- Gary Hanley locked the doors and smashed a phone as Gardaí approached.
- Sean Mackey is a casino croupier originally from South Africa, Jie Liu is a food delivery driver formerly of Cedar Grove, Swords, and Gary Hanley is on disability benefit.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- what100 kilos of cannabis worth €2 million were recovered in a van (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA further €1 million worth of cannabis, MDMA, amphetamines and ketamine was found at an apartment in Blanchardstown (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGary Hanley drove a Hyundai Tucson, Sean Mackey was in a Toyota Corolla, and Jie Liu drove an Opel Vivaro van (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGary Hanley locked the doors and smashed a phone as Gardaí approached (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe three men drove to Athboy, Co Meath, where phones were exchanged (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe vehicles were intercepted on the N3 northbound on 22 February 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe arrests followed a GNDOCB operation (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe DPP directed trial on indictment in the circuit court (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe cases were adjourned until 17 June 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherSean Mackey is a casino croupier originally from South Africa (irishmirror.ie)
- otherJie Liu is a food delivery driver formerly of Cedar Grove, Swords (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGary Hanley is on disability benefit (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Apr2025Three charged over €2 million drugs seizure to face trial in circuit court
DPP directed trial on indictment in circuit court; cases adjourned to 17 June 2025 for service of books of evidence. Details of the interception, the convoy to Athboy, and the additional drugs found at the Blanchardstown apartment were outlined.
accused, Gary Hanley, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gary Hanleyaccused, Sean Mackey, 53, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Sean Mackeyaccused, Jie Liu, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jie Liu